Christmas tree stand comprising securing wedges

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a Christmas tree stand with a holding body which surrounds the lower end of the trunk of a Christmas tree and with securing wedges for the trunk which are connected to the holding body via blade wedges.

The invention relates to a Christmas tree stand with a holding bodywhich surrounds the lower end of the trunk of a Christmas tree and withsecuring wedges for the trunk which are connected to the holding bodyvia blade wedges.

In Christmas tree stands of the type referred to in the introduction,the holding body is in most cases designed as a tube which surrounds thelower end of the trunk of the Christmas tree. In order for it to bepossible to fix this lower end in the holding body, radially arrangedthreaded screws are provided in one version of the Christmas tree stand,which are in most cases designed as wing screws and are screwed againstthe trunk with their end which is frequently equipped with a disk on theinside. In this way, the trunk can be not only secured but alsopositioned. In another version, wooden wedges made from pieces of woodare driven between the trunk and the holding body in order to fix thetrunk.

In the known Christmas tree stands, the lower end of the trunk usuallyhas to be tapered. In the previously known Christmas tree stands with apositioning device which has flat wooden wedges, it is disadvantageousthat the wooden wedges can be used only once and, on each new use of theChristmas tree stand, wooden wedges first have to be provided. Many ofthe previously known Christmas tree stands form an upwardly open,watertight trough which, like a vase, receives the lower end of theChristmas tree.

A Christmas tree stand is known from U.S. Pat. No. 2,613,899, which, inaddition to providing a support for the tree trunk via positioning meansacting on the trunk, comprises a water reservoir in the stand foot, intowhich the lower end of the tree projects.

In the previously known Christmas tree stands, the disadvantage exists,however, that the contact surface between the trunk and the water isrelatively small, because only the lower surface of the trunk, at whichit was cut off, is available for this.

A considerable improvement of the Christmas tree stands known from theprior art, inter alia from U.S. Pat. No. 2,613,899, is described inEP-A-763340. According to the solution of this specification, theChristmas tree stands known from the prior art are improved by virtue ofthe insertion of the Christmas tree into the stand being greatlysimplified, the parts used being reusable, better centering beingachieved and the tree trunk coming into contact with water in animproved way. This is achieved by virtue of the fact that, below thepositioning arrangement present in the Christmas tree stand describedthere, blade wedges protect from the holding body, which are formed byradially inwardly facing edges of triangular bodies which are connectedto the holding body and are designed in such a manner that a lower endof the trunk, which is inserted into the holding body, meets the bladewedges and, as the pushing-in of the trunk continues, the blade wedgescut into the lower end of the trunk.

Although, in accordance with EP-A-763340, the use of the positioningarrangement in the form of several wedges and a ring holding thesetogether makes possible simple centering and alignment of the tree,further simplified handling is desirable.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a Christmas treestand which is improved in relation to the last-mentioned specificationand makes possible simpler handling and better guidance of the trunk inthe positioning arrangement.

According to the invention, this is achieved by providing a Christmastree stand having the features of the main claim. The inventiontherefore relates to a Christmas tree stand with a holding body whichsurrounds the lower end of the trunk of a Christmas tree and withsecuring wedges, which each have a hole, for the trunk, blade wedgesprojecting from the holding body below the securing wedges, which bladewedges are formed by radially inwardly facing edges of triangular bodieswhich are connected to the holding body and are designed in such amanner that a lower end of the trunk, which is inserted into the holdingbody, meets the blade wedges and, as the pushing-in of the trunkcontinues, the blade wedges cut into the lower end of the trunk, avertical channel being provided in each blade wedge, and in each case apin being fixed by one end in the hole in the securing wedge, the otherend of the pin being arranged vertically movably in the channel, so thateach securing wedge can be displaced between an insertion position, inwhich the securing wedge is mounted rotatably, and a use position, inwhich each securing wedge is pressed against the lower end of the trunk.

By fixing the securing wedges via the axis of rotation in the channel, aguide rail for the securing wedge, and the vertical mobility thusensured, optimum guidance and support of the trunk in the Christmas treestand is made possible. After insertion of the lower end of the trunkand continued pushing-in of the trunk, the blade wedges cut into thelower end of the trunk.

When the Christmas tree stand is filled with water, reliable access ofthe water to the lower end of the trunk is made possible and through thelateral cuts into the trunk is facilitated.

In order to secure the trunk in this position, the securing wedges(alternatively called positioning wedges) are raised out of theinsertion position with radially outwardly facing securing wedges andpressed against the trunk. By means of light hammer blows on theupwardly facing impact edge of the securing wedge, the latter is drivendownwardly along the guide channels located in the lower blade wedgesand at the same time cuts into the trunk via that corner of thetriangular securing wedges facing the trunk.

Through uniform and, through opposite securing wedges, staggereddriving-in of each securing wedge around the trunk, centering, fixingand securing of the trunk is thus achieved at in each case the highestpoint of a securing wedge. When the securing wedge is driven forward inthe direction of the channel in the blade wedge, at the same time alever force is exerted on the securing wedge via the radially outer edgeof the securing wedge when this edge meets the holding body, which forcehas, in addition to the force acting in the driving direction, aradially acting component which facilitates the cutting of the uppercorners of the securing wedge into the trunk.

In a preferred embodiment, that edge of the securing wedge facing thetrunk is designed not as a straight edge but as an arcuate edge curvedaway from the trunk. In this embodiment, it is ensured that the distancebetween the upper pressure point at the upper end of the securing wedge(cutting-in point on the side facing the trunk) and the lower pressurepoint on the blade wedge is as great as possible, irrespective ofwhether thickenings, in the form of remains of branches which have beencut off, natural deformities etc., are present in the lower area of thetrunk. The great distance between the holding points for the trunkresults in improved stable support, and Christmas trees of differentsize and of different trunk diameter can thus be secured. Furthermore,the Christmas tree stand can correspondingly be manufactured indifferent sizes, so that it is also suitable for every size of Christmastree.

The Christmas tree stand is just as suitable as a Christmas tree standwith a water trough as it is as one in which the trunk remains dry andstands in sand, earth or the like. The removal of the securing wedges iseasy; to this end, one or more projections, stops or holes can beprovided on the securing wedges, which facilitate levering out, as longas the trunk is still located in the holding body, or which make itpossible to knock the securing wedges out at a later stage. A steel hookcan be inserted into a hole of the securing wedge, and the securingwedge can then be pulled upward, so that the secure connection is freed.

According to the invention, the securing wedges are triangular and theycan bear with the longitudinal edge against the upper edge of theholding body depending on the thickness of the trunk and the driving-indepth, and possibly, when the securing wedge is driven in completely,along an inner wall of the holding body. A securing wedge angle of 10 to25°, preferably 15°, has proved advantageous. That corner of eachsecuring wedge bearing against the trunk can preferably be designed as acutting edge or have a sawtooth design and acts in the manner of a clawon the trunk, so that the trunk is, by means of the, preferably at leastfive, circumferentially spaced securing wedges, connected firmly “in aclaw-like manner” and stably to the foot.

According to the invention, blade wedges are provided in the lower endarea of the holding body, which are designed similarly to the contactsurfaces of the securing wedges and can likewise cut into the trunk.They are arranged on a circular ring and, seen from top to bottom,project to an increasing extent toward the center. They are preferablyprovided in the same number as the securing wedges. The blade wedgespreferably also have cutting edges, so that they too open the trunk andmake access of water possible in these places. A vertical guide channel,which serves as a guide for the pin fixed to the securing wedge and byvirtue of this allows vertical movement of the securing wedge, isprovided in each blade wedge.

Further advantages and features of the invention emerge from the otherclaims and also from the description below of an illustrative embodimentof the invention which is to be understood as non-limiting and isexplained in greater detail with reference to the drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of a tubular holding body with channelsfor the securing wedges;

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the holding body according to FIG. 1 fromabove;

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of a stabilizing plate for the blade wedges;

FIG. 4 shows a plan view of a blade wedge;

FIG. 5 shows a plan view of a preferred embodiment of a securing wedge;

FIG. 6 shows a cross section through the holding body with stabilizingplate, blade wedge and securing wedge, and

FIG. 7 shows a plan view from above of the connection between a bladewedge and a securing wedge.

As can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, the Christmas tree stand has aholding body (1) which, here, is in the form of a tubular portion.Attached to this at the bottom is a plate which forms an adequatestanding surface. Five blade wedges (3) (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2),which are arranged directly next to the guide channels (2), project fromthe inner wall of the tube of the holding body (1). The blade wedges areformed by the radially inwardly facing edges of five triangular bodieswhich are connected to the tubular holding body (1), and if appropriatealso, or only, to the stabilization plate (4), shown in FIG. 3, with thepreferably horizontal slots (5) which stabilize the blade wedges.

As can be seen from FIG. 4, the blade wedges (3) run at an angle ofroughly 15° to the vertical axis of the Christmas tree stand. They aredesigned in such a manner that a lower end of a trunk, which is insertedinto the tubular holding body (1), meets the blade wedges and, as thepushing-in of the Christmas tree continues, and also under its ownweight, they cut into the trunk. Preferably, the blade wedges can beground on both sides and designed as cutting edges. However, they canalso have a sawtooth design. In the latter embodiment, care must betaken that the sawteeth do not hinder too greatly the removal of thetrunk when the Christmas tree is taken down. In the illustrativeembodiment shown, the diameter at which the blade wedges (3) are locatedat their uppermost position, where, for instance, they are arranged inthe inner diameter of the holding body (1), is two and a half times thediameter of an inner circle at the foot of the five blade wedges, inother words immediately at the plate (4). The blade wedge has a verticalguide channel (6) for the guidance of the securing wedge (8). At thelower end facing the plate (4), the guide channel is enlarged to form abore (7) which, when the wedge (8) is driven in completely, secures thelatter in position on account of the lever force acting thereon.

As shown in FIG. 5, the securing wedge (8) is provided with the impactedge (9), which faces upward in the use position, the bore (10) for theguide pin (12) (not shown in FIG. 5), and a further bore (11) for a hookto be inserted for pulling the wedge out of the use position. Thesecuring wedge has a wedge angle of roughly 15° and two longitudinalsides, namely a curved edge (13) toward the trunk and a bearing edge(14) with which it bears against the holding body (1). As shown in FIG.5, the bearing edge is, at the end facing the guide pin (12), which canalso be in the form of a rivet, preferably curved toward the curved edge(13) like the chord of a circle, so that both thicker and thinner trunkscan be pushed into the support better and held securely. The contactsurface (13), which is preferably likewise curved like the chord of acircle facing away from the trunk, so that a type of web-like design ofthe wedge is produced at that end of the wedge facing the bore (10), ispreferably ground at least in the area of the wedge corner (14); it canalso have sawtoothing. Owing to the configuration of the curves in theform of a wedge, preferably as shown in FIG. 5, no crushing of the trunkin the lower area is brought about, but the trunk is, owing to beingguided in the blades fixed to the bottom, clamped (clutched) at thehighest point of the wedges.

When a Christmas tree is inserted into the stand according to theinvention, the trunk is inserted into the holding body (1) and pushed infrom above. In the process, the blade wedges (3), as has been explainedabove, cut into the wood of the trunk. The trunk is centered in thebottom by means of the funnel-shaped arrangement of the blade wedges (3)and it is secured and centered in this way. When the trunk has beendriven sufficiently far into the holding body (1), the fixing andalignment takes place by means of the securing wedges. First, thesecuring wedges (8), guided in the annular channel between the trunk andthe upper edge of the holding body (1), are positioned in such a mannerthat they bear against the trunk with the wedge corner (14).

The individual securing wedges (8) are then driven into said gap, in theprocess of which, depending on the diameter of the trunk, they slidealong the edge of the guide channel (2) or the inner wall of the holdingbody (1) and cut into the wood of the trunk. An excellent secureconnection is achieved by the penetration into the wood. Depending onthe extent to which a securing wedge is driven in, the tree is pressedmore to one side, and a vertical alignment is achieved in this way.

It has proved advantageous to provide a number of guide channels (2) inthe upper edge area of the holding body (1), in each of which a bearingside of a securing wedge can engage and which cause the securing wedgesto be held essentially radially, in other words they cannot slide awaylaterally.

When the Christmas tree stand according to the invention is removed, thesecuring wedges (8) can first be pulled up by a suitable hook beinghooked into the securing wedge bore provided and pulled upward.

The positioning arrangement has, for example, three to seven,preferably, five or more securing wedges.

The blade wedges (3) on the holding body (1) can in particular bedesigned as cutting edges or have a sawtooth-shaped design. Preferablythree to seven, in particular five, blade wedges (3) are provided. Theangle which the blade wedges (3) enclose with the axis of the Christmastree stand lies in particular between 10 and 25° and is preferably 15°.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional illustration through the Christmas treestand according to the invention roughly in the center of a guidechannel (2) in the holding body (1). In this connection, the securingwedge (8) is shown in the rest position, while the securing wedge withreference number (8 a) is illustrated, by a broken line, in the useposition, which depends on the diameter of the Christmas tree trunk. Viathe pin (12), which, shown from above in cross section in FIG. 7,connects the blade wedge (3) and the securing wedge (8), the securingwedge (8) can be pivoted out of the rest position into the use positionand displaced along the guide channel (6) to the catching position inthe bore (7). The blade wedges (3) are protected against lateralyielding via the locking plate (4).

1-8. (canceled)
 9. A Christmas tree stand comprising: a holding bodythat receives a lower end of a trunk of a Christmas tree; a securingwedge with a guide pin, and a blade wedge having a guide channel,wherein the securing wedge is movably coupled to blade wedge via theguide pin and the guide channel; wherein the blade wedge is disposedwithin the holding body, and wherein the securing wedge moves between afirst position and a second position when the guide pin moves in theguide channel; and wherein the securing wedge contacts and secures thetrunk of the Christmas tree in the first position and releases the trunkof the Christmas tree in the second position.
 10. The Christmas treestand of claim 9 wherein the securing wedge has an edge proximal to thetrunk of the Christmas tree, and wherein the edge curves away from thetrunk of the Christmas tree when the securing wedge is in the firstposition.
 11. The Christmas tree stand of claim 9 wherein the holdingbody has a cylindrical horizontal cross section and a lower end, andwherein the lower end of the holding body is further coupled to aclosing plate.
 12. The Christmas tree stand of claim 9 wherein theholding body has a lower portion that includes a stabilizing plate forthe blade wedge.
 13. The Christmas tree stand of claim 9 wherein theholding body further includes a channel that receives the securingwedge.
 14. The Christmas tree stand of claim 10 wherein the channel isvertical to the ground when the Christmas tree stand secures a Christmastree.
 15. The Christmas tree stand of claim 9 wherein the securing wedgehas an impact surface that forms an angle of less than 90 degreesrelative to a vertical axis of the Christmas tree stand.
 16. TheChristmas tree stand of claim 15 wherein the angle is between 80 degreesand 60 degrees.
 17. The Christmas tree stand of claim 9 wherein thesecuring wedge is a triangular steel plate having a thickness of 3 to 10millimeter.
 18. The Christmas tree stand of claim 17 wherein thesecuring wedge is a triangular steel plate having a thickness of 3 to 5millimeter.